Improvement in coupling tubular lightning-rods



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JAMES H. WESTON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN COUPLING TUBULAR LIGHTNING-RODS.

i Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 139,841, dated June 10, 1873 application filed March 1, 1873.

application, durability, and capacity of longitudinal play, so as to prevent the rod being thrown out of line and bent by expansion in hot Weather, and of being snapped or drawn apart byeontraction in cold weather.

Figure 1 is a perspective View, representing parts of two consecutive sections embodying myinvention; Fig. 2 represents the same parts as they appear when inserted one within the other for coupling. Fig. represents the saine parts completely coupled and locked.

The lower portion A ot' each section is suficiciently enlarged to take within it the upper end B of the next section, and has an oritice, C, to receive a tongue, D, on the said portion B,which tongue is so bent, as in Fig. 1, as on the insertion of the portionB to spring out- Ward through the orifice (l, and on the partial withdrawal of B to protrude through said orifice, as in Fig. 2. The extremity of said tongue is then bent backward, as in Fig. 3.

It will be seen that this operates to lock the sections rmly and securely to one another,

and that, although thus securely fastened, they are capable of sliding one upon another when suffering changes of elongation or contraction under the iniiuence of heat and cold, and that the upturned end of` the tongue prevents the` complete separation of the sections thus joined. y

Although designed chiefly for tubular rods s my coupling is applicable to solid 'rods whose i extremities are provided with hollow cylinders adapted to telescope together as above.

The tubular lightning-rod herein described, having the lower portion A of each section sufficiently enlarged to admit the upper end B, of the next section, the sections being connected and secured together by means of the y orifice C and tongue D, all as herein shown and described. i

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

J. H. WESTON.

Attest GEO. H. KNIGHT, H. SCEOONMAKEE. 

